Texas Tech transfer chooses between Auburn, LSU, UGA

Texas Tech defensive tackle grad transfer Breiden Fehoko has wrapped up his 2-month stretch of official visits to Auburn, Louisville, LSU, Ole Miss and Georgia. At 4 p.m. ET, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Hawaiian will decide between those 5 schools.

As of Sunday night, Fehoko still had pros-and-cons charts to sift through before finalizing his decision and alerting coaching staffs. He will make that final choice in the morning before announcing to the general public later in the day.

“I’m really just looking over these notes and going to sleep on it tonight. Come tomorrow, I think I’ll have an answer,” Fehoko said.

Auburn and LSU have emerged as his front-runners after both visits. He also raved about his trips to Louisville and Ole Miss, thanks to his strong relationships with Louisville defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon and Ole Miss coaches Hugh Freeze, Wesley McGriff and Freddie Roach.

It was Georgia who picked up the final official visit prior to Fehoko’s pre-set April 17 commitment date. The Bulldogs impressed him, and a source close to the situation said they worked their way near contention with the 2 SEC West Tigers.

Texas Tech DT Breiden Fehoko will sit out the 2017 season and will have 2 years of eligibility remaining. (John Weast/Getty Images)

When Fehoko announces Monday afternoon, I expect it to be Auburn or LSU, but Georgia could’ve made enough of a move over the weekend to force the defensive lineman’s choice to wait until Monday to confirm his decision with coaching staffs.

Ultimately, the SEC West factor will make it tough for Georgia to pass Auburn and LSU.

“The crazy thing about the SEC, especially the SEC West, is the competition, whether it’s on the field or off the field. That was the biggest thing that I see in common about the SEC West,” Fehoko said. “Every school is competitive with development. I just want to see development as a player, the place that’s going to put me in the best situation possible to succeed. I have no doubt, with all 5 of these place, that’s why I chose them.”

An Auburn source said Auburn has a 50-50 level of confidence with Fehoko, seeing LSU as the most legitimate threat.

It has been well more than a month since Fehoko visited Auburn, but he hasn’t forgotten the huge impression left on the personalized visit. He said after the visit and again on Sunday night how grateful he was to take the Auburn visit first because it showed him what factors he needed to assess from every school throughout.

The 1 school Fehoko made clear that reached Auburn’s early bar was LSU, making it more evident that 1 of the SEC West Tigers will land him.

For prediction’s sake: Fehoko will choose LSU.

He referenced on multiple occasions how every school was being judged against Auburn’s initial visit. Fehoko clearly stated that LSU was the only program to meet and perhaps even exceed that. LSU’s best chance to secure him will be Fehoko’s impression of LSU defensive line coach Pete Jenkins, who he referred to as “one of the most legendary D-line coaches out there.”

Fehoko will sit out the 2017 season. He’ll have 2 years of eligibility remaining after his redshirt season. Fehoko started 25 games at defensive tackle for the Red Raiders during his first 2 seasons. He was the No. 50 overall prospect in the 2015 recruiting class.

Check back at 4 p.m. ET to see Fehoko’s final choice.

Recruiting road trip with Kirschner, Wolk

Over the week, the evaluation period began.

Division I assistants are now able to scout every prospect in person a maximum of 2 times over the next 167 days. Coaches won’t be the only ones hitting the road to talk to the nation’s top prospects.

SEC Country Alabama writer Chris Kirschner and I will head out from Auburn on Monday morning for a weeklong journey around the Yellowhammer State to visit the best 2018 and 2019 prospects the state has to offer. The trip will be loaded with scoop on many of Alabama’s best prospects who are all major recruiting targets for both Alabama and Auburn (along with other suitors).

Here’s a quick recap of what to expect from that excursion, as well as the Iron Bowl rivalry’s ability to recruit its own state.